Arne Slot asks reporter 'are you a manager' before putting him in his place

A reporter was called out by Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during Monday's Champions League press conference, after he was questioned about his rotation in the right-back position

Arne Slot called out a reporter following a tactical question(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot snapped at a reporter ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash against Galatasaray, following a question about the ongoing right-back situation.

Slot has rotated his back line on several occasions this season, though most of the changes have been forced upon him due to injuries. Jeremie Frimpong, who was signed in the summer, has dealt with several injury problems this season, and Conor Bradley is expected to miss the rest of the campaign.

Dominik Szoboszlai, Joe Gomez, Curtis Jones, and Wataru Endo have all spent time in the right-back position this season, with varying levels of success. Szoboszlai has been the standout option, though his presence in the midfield is missed, and Slot got defensive when asked about his tactics.

"Have you been a manager? No. You mention four names, I have had 5 or 6 different players there this season," Slot said during Monday's press conference. "Szoboszlai is one of them, also played well in midfield.

"We have choices to make, and that has not been happening a lot. Usually the same 13/14 players playing, I could impact the game off the bench at Wolves, which was something new.

"If I play Dom at right-back it is because he is the best player for the position, not because we don't have the options there. The more players available the better because sometimes they get tired later in the season."

Dominik Szoboszlai has starred for Liverpool in a defensive role this season(Image: (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images))

It's been a challenging season for Slot and Liverpool, and a humbling campaign after winning the Premier League last year. Slot has also had to deal with a public fallout concerning star player Mohamed Salah, and injuries have mounted elsewhere.

It's not just the right-back role that's been an issue; the left-back position has also been split between Milos Kerkez and Andrew Robertson. Liverpool signed Kerkez from Bournemouth last summer, but he's taken time to adjust.

Robertson is also in the twilight of his career and was linked with a move away in January, but stayed at Anfield. The veteran defender starred during Friday's 3-1 win over Wolves, and Slot hasn't decided who will start against Galatasaray.

Andrew Robertson reminded Slot on Friday that he is still capable of starting(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)

"Szoboszlai usually plays full-back for Hungary so it is interesting...Robertson played a good game, Milos too. Both played a lot of good games for us. It is a choice for me and you will see tomorrow the decision," Slot said.

Liverpool has just been drawn against Manchester City in the FA Cup and is out of the Premier League title race. The Champions League remains a route to silverware for Liverpool, but they have already lost away to Galatasaray this season.

"We knew them already really well and now we watch more games and I have a lot of respect for the manager, successful as a player and a manager, Slot said of the Turkish side. "Besiktas, they played them recently, and beat them with 10 men which tells you a lot about how they fight, quality players who fight with great fans behind them.

"We need to be so, so good tomorrow to get to Anfield. There wasn't a lot between us in the September game, open play quite similar, 50/50 game we lost because of the penalty, so two very good teams playing each other."